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After the Jaguars beat the Texans in late November, Jacksonville pass rusher Josh Allen spoke to PFT about his performance that day. I asked him, among other things, if he wanted a new contract, given that he was playing under his fifth-year option.
“Of course I want to get one,” Allen said. He also made it clear that he wants it from the Jaguars, not someone else. He said there had been no talks to sign one.
“That depends on the big man,” Allen said. “I just go in and play for my people.”
One of the organization’s senior officials spoke to reporters Thursday about Allen. General manager Trent Baalke said the seventh pick in the 2019 draft “it will be a jaguar.” Baalke admitted, however, that there have been no talks about a long-term deal.
That comment did not sit well with Allen and his representatives. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Allen’s team is not happy that Baalke took the time to talk to the media about Allen before taking time with Allen or his agent about Allen. Allen’s camp has been ready, willing and waiting to engage in negotiations.
The lack of commitment at this stage of the calendar points to a franchise tag for Allen, not a multi-year contract. Allen, a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, set the franchise single-season record with 17.5 sacks. He has 45 in his career, which puts him second in all-time team history, behind Tony Brackens with 55.
The 2011 rookie salary scale was intended to prevent unsuccessful top draft picks from wiping millions out of the system. It has also given teams the ability to take advantage of great players, delaying for years the financial reward they have earned. Allen has been waiting five years.
It’s unfortunate for the Jaguars, who ultimately ruined the relationship with top defensive players like Jalen Ramsey and Yannick Ngakoue, who were traded. Given that Allen’s agent has engineered trades for high-end defensive players like Khalil Mack and DeForest Buckner, the combination could be more explosive than nitroglycerin, the weapon of choice for many old-school cartoon villains.
From Allen’s perspective, Baalke currently plays the role of Dick Dastardly. The only way to change that is for Baalke not to talk to the media about Allen, but to Allen about Allen.